Is Borderlands an apocalypse game?

Is Borderlands an Apocalypse Game?

Borderlands, a popular video game series, is often debated whether it’s an apocalypse game or not. The answer is a bit complex, and this article will explore the reasoning behind it.

Not a Traditional Apocalypse Game

While Borderlands shares some elements with apocalypse games, such as post-apocalyptic settings and dystopian societies, it doesn’t necessarily fit the traditional mold. In a traditional apocalypse game, the focus is often on survival in a world that has been devastated by catastrophic events, such as nuclear war, zombie outbreaks, or environmental disasters.

In Borderlands, however, the apocalypse is more nuanced. The game is set on the planet Pandora, which was once inhabited by humans but is now overrun by various alien creatures. The player takes on the role of a "Vault Hunter," tasked with exploring the planet, eliminating the alien threat, and uncovering the secrets behind the apocalypse.

Different Genres, Different Themes

Borderlands is an action role-playing game, and its primary focus is on combat, exploration, and character development. The game’s theme is centered around the concept of discovery and exploration, rather than survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The player is not necessarily fighting against a traditional apocalypse, but rather against the remnants of an ancient civilization and alien forces that threaten the world.

Is Borderlands Post-Apocalyptic?

While Borderlands may not be a traditional apocalypse game, it is set in a post-apocalyptic world. The planet has been devastated by an unspecified event, and the human settlement has been destroyed. However, the game doesn’t focus on the trauma and survival aspects that are typically associated with post-apocalyptic fiction.

Subgenre: Sci-Fi Apocalypse

Borderlands can be considered a sci-fi apocalypse game, which is a subgenre that combines science fiction elements with post-apocalyptic themes. In this subgenre, the focus is on exploring the remnants of a world that has been devastated by catastrophic events, often caused by science or technology gone wrong.

Key Differences from Traditional Apocalypse Games

Here are some key differences between Borderlands and traditional apocalypse games:

• Focus on Combat: Borderlands is more focused on combat and character development than on survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
• Exploration and Discovery: The game’s primary theme is centered around exploration and discovery, rather than survival or rebuilding a community.
• Dystopian Setting: The game is set in a dystopian world, but the focus is on the alien threat and the ancient civilization that created the world, rather than the devastating event that caused the apocalypse.
• No Trauma or Survival: Unlike traditional apocalypse games, Borderlands doesn’t focus on the trauma and survival aspects that are typically associated with post-apocalyptic fiction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Borderlands is not a traditional apocalypse game, it can be considered a sci-fi apocalypse game. The game’s primary focus is on combat, exploration, and character development, rather than survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The game’s unique blend of sci-fi and action elements sets it apart from traditional apocalypse games and makes it a standout title in the Borderlands franchise.

References

1. Gearbox Software. (2020). Borderlands. Retrieved from <https://www BORDERLANDS.com/>
2. IGN. (2020). Borderlands. Retrieved from https://www.IGN.com/games/borderlands
3. Kotaku. (2020). Borderlands is a Game About Exploration. Retrieved from https://kotaku.com/borderlands-is-a-game-about-exploration-1845111644